BAD WEEKEND....hit and run damage...plz help!!! (pics inside)

[wlivingston04]

Ok guys,

Thanks for all the input and guesstimates on the amount of damage that was caused to my car and possible solutions

Well I went to the body shop yesterday and here are the results:

The fascia could not be just heated up and formed back into place because its was cracked (circled in picture).

Soooooo, here is my estimate from the 1st body shop.....

Parts:
357.59 for new front fascia
56.88 for a new lower grille

Labor
Body Labor: 2.9 hours @ $40/hr = $116.00
Paint Labor: 3.9 hours @ $40/hr = $156.00
Paint Supplies: 3.9 hours @ $26/hr = $101.40

Subtotal = 787.87 + Texas sales tax

Total= $830.43


Does this seem fair/right for the price and labor????

Im going to get a few other quotes this weekend just to be sure this figure is in the right ball park.....just wanted to get yall's opinion on it first....


Thoughts/Comments??????

[Ravirn]

That damage looks like it is NOT from another car (too low). Not from a concrete parking block or some such. Parking hitch that low? Nah.

Don't know for sure, but it looks like someone took a swing at it with something. Anything hard edged would have left paint transfer or scraped paint off. Just how much damage could a big guy in boots do to the front fascia? I say that only because the metal bent upwards at a pretty sharp angle. Whatever hit it was lower than the front lip, forcing it upwards. Hmm... I'm thinking one of those Jealous Freaks took something to it. :(

Definitely get a minimum of three quotes. You may be surprised how wide-spread the quotes are.

[TJ91]

That is not bad at all. Do you have any friends that work at a shop or paint shop?
They could help you with all the labor.
You could also d the bumper yourself as its really easy
Im sorry to hear about that too btw, people are just pricks
If i were you, i would get a new bumper, have it painted then install it myself

[vuduman67]

I own a collision shop in Indiana and can tell you that to replace the bumper the first estimate is accurate. It would be a little higher here because we have a higher labor rate but the hours and materials quoted are accurate.
However if I were righting your estimate I would first right it to repair your cover with heat and spot refinish where necessary. I would say approx. $250.00 plus the lower grille if it is broke. I would be able to tell if it was going to repair right away after heating it, if it doent come back into shape then you would need to replace. Ask around for a good shop and dont think going back to the dealership is always the best place, many times it is the worst choice. Good luck and sorry to see another Camaro damaged:(

[ffrcobra_65]

$830. Go for it just make sure you have at least 5 years warranty.

[TommyTSquared]

Originally Posted by Ravirn

That damage looks like it is NOT from another car (too low). Not from a concrete parking block or some such. Parking hitch that low? Nah.

Don't know for sure, but it looks like someone took a swing at it with something. Anything hard edged would have left paint transfer or scraped paint off. Just how much damage could a big guy in boots do to the front fascia? I say that only because the metal bent upwards at a pretty sharp angle. Whatever hit it was lower than the front lip, forcing it upwards. Hmm... I'm thinking one of those Jealous Freaks took something to it. :(

Definitely get a minimum of three quotes. You may be surprised how wide-spread the quotes are.

What is a parking hitch? It is hard to tell how it happened without know what was the cause. It couldn't have been something smooth and blunt (such as a baseball bat) coming from a downward angle as it would have also damaged the part of the facia that is above the damaged area. However something such a golf club (or has an elbow avoiding the upper part of the facia only affecting the lower) could be using to create something such as this. If you don't assume someone did something to it, it would have to have been caused by something lower than the car angled towards the car as the object or the car approached one-another.

Either way, OP still hasn't asked for mine or anyone elses opinion as to how this happened. So posts that give such information should not be in this thread.

OP,
I know this sounds weird but if you have a 'good ole' shop around there ask if you can help and maybe they can cut you a break on labor? Was able to get this when I had a car scratched. All I had to do was pay for the product I used as I was doing the labor myself (under supervision).

[firengnred]

I hate to tell you this, but you should probably stop thinking then. There are CARS that have trailer hitches on them that run low (neighbor back home does this with his Cavalier that he hauls his boat with). I used to run a 12" drop down on my truck when hauling a car just because the car wouldn't be able to get on the trailer (due to clearance of the car) otherwise. I'm not saying that is what is the caused the damage, but it could be a possibility.

Again:

OP comes in here asking for help not if you believe his story or what could have caused it. He even said enough about the problem, let's work on the solution. WTF!?

CAMARO5.com RULES. Read this before posting
Hey all, and welcome to the Camaro5.com chat forums, here are some basic rules we should all try to live by

1) Respect. By far the most important rule here. Through the generations of Camaros, enthusiasts have come together for the love of the car and the community (in fact, the name "Camaro" means "friend, pal, or comrade"). So, the basic rules of real life apply here, show each other respect and you will get respect as well. Don't bash someone else here because you feel like it. Personally insulting other members will not be tolerated.

2) Disagree, don't attack. Disagree on topics, but try to leave it at that. Just because you don't like someones opinion on the car's engine, doesn't mean you should call him and his mother all sorts of names Disagreements are fine, and you should feel free to express your difference of opinion, but don't go out of your way to insult and flame someone. Please consider if you would say to someone's face the same thing you are posting.

What's with all the haters? NO, I am not calling the guy a liar. I'm simply stating an opinion that the damage does not appear to be caused by a hitch. Again this is only MY opinion. Sheesh

[Alfieboy]

Regardless of what it was.. dosent look that bad.......................

[kutch720]

I would guess it was some drunk kicking it in or stomping on it.

[chain1]

Not to hijack the thread but how does it work when you have a total loss on your record. If it's not your fault does it still show on your record? I only ask because I had a car totaled (not my fault) about 5 years ago. Does that show on my record? My insurance didn't go up.

[2001ragtop]

AFTER you get your car fixed, Don't park your car at bars/clubs.

Get a RIDE there. or Walk/take a bus. take a cab.

a parking lot of a bar/or club is almost guaranteeing your car will get vandalized.

[wlivingston04]

Originally Posted by chain1

Not to hijack the thread but how does it work when you have a total loss on your record. If it's not your fault does it still show on your record? I only ask because I had a car totaled (not my fault) about 5 years ago. Does that show on my record? My insurance didn't go up.

Im no expert by any means, so if any information that I am saying is incorrect, someone please chime in and correct me..

Any accident you have had, stays on your driving record for a certain length of time (not sure of that time frame).

I say this because after I totaled my dodge, and I was in the 5th month of paying a 6th month premium, so i paid the last month of the premium and then decided to shop around and see if I could find some cheaper auto insurance once i got my camaro...

So I call progressive, and as I am talking with the insurance agents she is looking at my driving record and tells me about 3 previous accidents dating back to 2006 that I had been in, and they were at a "not at fault" status. (which was true, lol)

With all that said, when you have a total loss on your record, it should not affect you insurance rates when you are not at fault......but if you do decide to change insurance companies down the line, I do believe they take the amount of accidents that you have been in, whether at fault or not, into consideration when determining how much you policy should be

[Becka1988]

Originally Posted by TommyTSquared

I hate to tell you this, but you should probably stop thinking then. There are CARS that have trailer hitches on them that run low (neighbor back home does this with his Cavalier that he hauls his boat with). I used to run a 12" drop down on my truck when hauling a car just because the car wouldn't be able to get on the trailer (due to clearance of the car) otherwise. I'm not saying that is what is the caused the damage, but it could be a possibility.

Again:

OP comes in here asking for help not if you believe his story or what could have caused it. He even said enough about the problem, let's work on the solution. WTF!?

TommyTSquared, I think u owe firengnred an apology.



Whats the point of owning a cool car and not being able to drive it anywhere?! Stupid things like this can happen anywhere! I'd go harass the manager of the club and threaten litigation. If you pay to park then there should be some sort of responsibility of the club too keep an eye out on the cars there.

good luck!

[TommyTSquared]

Originally Posted by firengnred

What's with all the haters? NO, I am not calling the guy a liar. I'm simply stating an opinion that the damage does not appear to be caused by a hitch. Again this is only MY opinion. Sheesh

The only 'haters' in this thread are those that are disbelieving the OP in how the damage happened. OP didn't come in here asking for opinions on what caused the damage. This is from his first post:

But thats okay, Im over it, enough with the problem and lets work on the solution here...

Also, no where did you agree (in what I quoted) that the damage did not look to be caused by a hitch. You quoted "A hitch 10" off the ground..... I don't think so .... ". The only opinion in agreeing with what you quoted was that you think a hitch cannot be 10" off the ground. Sorry, but I needed to show you that there are times when a hitch can be 10" off the ground.

Originally Posted by Becka1988

TommyTSquared, I think u owe firengnred an apology.

The first part of my comment wasn't directed to firengnred as he didn't "think" anything and just simply agreed, where as SlingShot doesn't "think" a hitch can be that low. That being said, to state or agree that a hitch cannot be 10" needs to be refuted as that can, and does happen (maybe I didn't have to be so harsh about it but coming in here but if you say something without knowing if it's possible...?). To say blanket statements just for the sake of argument shouldn't be said just because that's what you "think". Now people know (no GI Joe comments ) and then if asked what they think could be the cause can debate if a hitch caused the damage.

I don't think I owe either of them an apology. If anything, anyone coming in here and attempting to disprove the OP's story about how/why this happened owes it to him and those actually attempting to help with this terrible situation.